Sir William Paulet, 1st Marquess of Winchester (?1485 – 1572)
British (English) School
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
1570 - 1599
Materials
Oil on panel (softwood)
Measurements
368 x 298 mm (14 1/2 x 11 3/4 in)
Order this imageCollection
Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire
NT 1129174
Caption
Sir William Paulet was the eldest son of Sir John Paulet. He earned, through favour and talent, a number of prominent positions at Court. He was nominated by Henry VIII, in his will, as one of the Council of Regency. Thereafter, he succeeded where so many failed, supporting each Tudor monarch in turn, from proclaiming Mary to obtaining Elizabeth’s favour. Paulet died while still holding the office of Treasurer, an office he had held for over twenty years.
Summary
Oil painting on panel, Sir William Paulet, 1st Marquess of Winchester (?1485 – 1572), British (English) School, late 16th century. Inscribed top right: Paulet / 1st/Marquiss / of / Winchester [put on by 5th Duke of Devonshire between 1792 and 1811]. A bust portrait, turned slightly to the left, gazing at spectator, in black habit with small white collar and black cap, wearing order of the Garter; a wand of office in his left hand. Fine-grain softwood frame with cross struts behind corners. Painted black with gilt inner moulded edge. Outside edge steep stepped moulding to central flat frame.
Provenance
In Inventory of the contents of Hardwick Hall made in 1601 and attached to the will of Elizabeth Hardwick, Countess of Shrewsbury (c.1520-1608) and thence by descent until, following the death of Edward William Spencer Cavendish, 10th Duke of Devonshire (1895 - 1950), Hardwick Hall and its contents were accepted by HM Treasury in part payment of death duties and transferred to the National Trust, in 1959
Credit line
Hardwick Hall, The Devonshire Collection (acquired through the National Land Fund and transferred to The National Trust in 1959)
Marks and inscriptions
top left Paulet/1st/Marquiss/of/Winchester
Makers and roles
British (English) School, artist